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Sep 4, 1978Sep 4, 1978
The September 4, 1978, matchup between the Baltimore Colts and Dallas Cowboys pitted two teams...
1978 Baltimore Colts vs Dallas Cowboys - Radio Broadcast / The September 4, 1978, matchup between the Baltimore Colts and Dallas Cowboys pitted two teams in very different situations at the start of the NFL season. Baltimore, led by coach Ted Marchibroda, was coming off a disappointing 1977 season and began this game with Mike Kirkland starting at quarterback. Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys, under the legendary Tom Landry, had Roger Staubach leading the charge. This early-season game had the Cowboys looking to assert dominance in the NFC East and defend their title, while the Colts were searching for improvement after a rocky 1977 campaign. Dallas entered the game with high expectations, thanks to stars like Tony Dorsett and Drew Pearson, while the Colts were seeking stability in the AFC East.
The game quickly turned into a one-sided affair as Dallas took control in the second quarter. Staubach was sensational, throwing for four touchdowns, including a 91-yard pass to Dorsett, and spreading the ball to multiple receivers like Drew Pearson and Billy Joe DuPree. Dallas’s offensive line protected Staubach well, preventing any sacks, while Baltimore struggled on both sides of the ball. The Colts' offense, led by Kirkland, managed only 116 passing yards and was sacked five times. Baltimore’s defense couldn’t contain Dallas's high-powered offense, as the Cowboys amassed 583 total yards, with Dorsett running for 147 yards on the ground. By the fourth quarter, the Cowboys added a field goal to seal the victory, while the Colts failed to put up any points.
The Cowboys' 38-0 win marked an emphatic start to their season, improving to 1-0, and set the tone for what would become another strong year, eventually leading them deep into the playoffs. For Baltimore, the defeat underscored the challenges they faced as they dropped to 0-1, needing significant improvements in both offense and defense to compete in their division.
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